I have unplugged the front USB to see if that was causing any conflict. Still Nada, ive done another format / install. and nothing. still says its un-known. all mobo stuff is installed, and there is no loose connections etc.

HI there, i have been lucky not to have had many problems with usb so far!!
But from the info you have given us it might be worth checking out these ideas!!!!
1 - You mentioned you had more than one usb device i have heard of machines struggling if you plug in to many devices!!
So it maybe worth unpluging one or two usb devices to see if that would help!!!! (long shot)

2 - You say that it work in/on other pc's would it be that ur pc is usb 1.1 and the card reader is a usb 2 device!!!!

3 - The only other thing that comes to mind is that it may be spyware, and YES, there's spyware that can stick around after a reistall or get in as you are downloading drivers!!!!
(most probable)

these devices worked a while ago.
im a carefull user as far as spyware / virus are concerened and always kept my protection programs up to date.
have only my essentials in atm. and even when i unplugged the keyboard and mouse, it still says that the card reader & (or) ipod are 'unknown'

Ive just done a repair, but still it hasnt helped. i cant think of anything else to do?? any one got ANY suggestionS? regardless of how insignificant you may think they are, please post them and i will try.